Boarding was finally called on my flight to Washington DC and we all shuffled on board the United Airlines jet, greeted by smiling staff. Were they smiling because we were kept waiting by the delay or were their smiles the result of embarrassment? I couldn't say with any certainty, but they were very obliging and accommodating, feeding us and keeping us topped up with free alcohol throughout the flight.
The TVs had a wide selection of movies for our amusement but other than the fact that I had already seen any that might have interested me, I was desperate for sleep, having been awake for well over twenty four hours by this time. I was provided with a pillow and a short blanket and tried my best to drift off. As a tall man - I am over 6ft 2 - I had trouble getting comfortable enough. The are only so many different contortions my long legs will allow. All told, I probably had three twenty minutes naps throughout.
After what felt like an eternity - I have never flown so far for so long before - we landed at Dulles International, where rain had begun to fall. Security was nonexistent: my passport wasn't checked, and I could just walk straight into the States. This struck me as bizarre, even considering the preclearance we received back in Dublin.
I was assured back in Ireland that my luggage would not be carrying on to Knoxville as Rhonda had heroically decided to pick me up in Washington due to the delay. I waited at the designated luggage collection carousel and watched as every case in the world but mine travelled around the belt. Hmmm. I went off to see a United Airlines representative and explained my situation. He checked and sure enough my luggage had not been requested to be dropped off here, so he sent across a requesition. 'Don't worry Mr Muxx, it might take up to an hour but we'll get it to you' he explained. I was in no rush as Rhonda would not be arriving for a while.
I decided to grab a coffee and go outside for a vape. Seeing the earlier rain, combined with the coolness of an air conditioned airport, I was a bit shocked as the exit doors slid open the humidity hit me. I expected a little, but not quite so much. As time wore on bad weather closed in and at one point all aircraft were grounded. Also, all ground staff were confined inside, including baggage handlers. With. My. Case...
One and a half hours on I returned to the United office where a different member of staff was manning the desk. I again explained my situation and she checked the system. 'Um, sorry Mr Muxx' she explained 'but your case just landed in Knoxville.' Aaaarrrrgggghhh!
Right, not to worry. We were due to pick up @jayna from Knoxville the next day, so we'd pick up my case then. In the meanwhile the only clothes I have are the ones I am wearing.
@rhondak and @catherine813 turned up and hugs were exchanged between Rhonda and me. It felt extremely bizarre to actually meet in the flesh with the woman who encouraged my journey into writing. Over the past year or so were have spoken in Discord, gotten to know each other and supported the other in whatever Steem adventures we have explored. When we finally met I felt like we were old friends. Little did I realise the distance involved between DC and Gatlinburg. It had already taken a seven hour drive to Washington, now Rhonda was to drive through the night for another seven hours. She was already my hero before this, and even more so now. She is a force of nature.
Tune in next time to see if my case ever turns up.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://www.muxxy.co.uk/2018/06/22/trek-to-usa-the-curious-case-of-the-missing-case/
Sorry to hear about your baggage issues. I always feel a bit hopeless when travelling
Keep us updated on everything! I am so pleased you got me to meet Rhonda finally!
Lots of love to you both
It gets better... Lol
Thanks, having much fun.
“Heroic.” Hah. I didn’t feel very heroic when you were suffering in the passenger seat and I learned United “might” have put you in a motel.
Might smite. It was much fun, despite going into a sleep coma :D
Hearing a few more stories about United and their baggage handling. My brother-in-law came up from Chicago for the weekend... his luggage never arrived (required a trip to Walmart.) Good news, he picked up his luggage on his return to Chigaco, on Monday. Glad it's all worked out. Enjoy the time now.
I'm having much fun.
This is one of the reasons why that when I travel I only bring a carry-on. I could be staying somewhere for a month and I still only want a carry-on with me. The wife, however, somehow manages to bring more stuff than a family of seven might need for a trip to the moon.
Glad you made it, and happy that there weren't any insurmountable issues!
I will remember next time, you make a good point.
LOL Welcome to America my friend, don't hold it against the rest of us for the airlines!
Lol, thank you.
WOW! I wasnt aware of these distances as well!
You can also have the ariport staff drop off your luggage usually, because it is their fault it ended up in the wrong spot. Might also save you some hassle?
Watch this space for the conclusion to the luggage mystery.
MY FIRST POST......
HOWS IT
https://steemit.com/usa/@dheeraj786/why-many-indians-are-being-ceo-s-in-many-big-usa-companies
Yeah, don't get me started about airlines, especially about travel to the USA.
Did my due diligence and found an airfare that would give me a 13 hour daytime stopover in Paris on the return trip. On the Air France website, no less. Hey, never been to Paris, so why not?
Tried to book. Error message. Tried several more times. Same error. Called their local support line. Found the itinerary I wanted, but different flight numbers. They could book it for me for $400 more. No thanks.
Called the Air France number in France. They quoted an even higher price. So skipped Air France altogether.
Did a writeup about it here on Steemit. Go to my blog if interested...
This post was shared in the Curation Collective Discord community for curators, and upvoted and resteemed by the @c-squared community account after manual review.
Congratulations! Your high quality travel content caught our attention and earned you a reward, in form of an upvote and resteem. Your work really stands out. Your article now has a chance to get curated and featured under the appropriate daily topic of our Travelfeed blog. Thank you for using #travelfeed
20 SBD Up For Grabs in the TF Cup! - learn more about the contest here 👈
Someone did advise you pack underwear and a t-shirt in your carry on just in case...
But how did your luggage make the Knoxville flight on time when you couldn't?
Here's a good reason for carrying a change of clothes in your carry-on. Or even better, travel with only carry-on and eliminate the possibility of losing luggage or, as in your case, your case ending up in the wrong place.
I never bother to bring more than a carry on when flying. You can always buy a new t-shirt or find a laundry. Too much trouble. The worst part is being a tall person in a cramped seat for many hours.🐓🐓